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Kirkland told the club's official website: "It has taken me by surprise a little. My number one priority at the moment of course ifs to compete for my place in the Wigan team and to try and re-establish myself in the Premiership. But to get a call up is a lovely boost and there is no greater honour than playing for your country.
"I have really enjoyed my time in the England set up in the past and I'm looking forward to meeting up with the team next week."While boss Paul Jewell was also delighted with the news, he added: "I knew when we signed Chris that it was something of a coup and I really hope for both his sake and our sake that he can stay injury free and prove what a talent he is.
"He has been in good form in pre-season and to be honest it doesn't really surprise me because he is a very, very good goalkeeper.This is fantastic news for him, and also a great boost for the club. Congratulations Chris."
Surely he will be joined in the not to distant future by full-back Leighton Baines. The fixture with Greece will take place at Old Trafford on August 16th. Here is the squad in full.
SQUAD: Robinson (Tottenham), Kirkland (Wigan), Foster (Man Utd), Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Carragher (Liverpool), A Cole (Arsenal), Dawson (Tottenham), Ferdinand (Man Utd), G Neville (Man Utd), P Neville (Everton), Terry (capt, Chelsea), Young (Charlton), Downing (Middlesbrough), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Richardson (Man Utd), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Ashton (West Ham), Bent (Charlton), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Tottenham).